Chris Stapleton

"I don't make records to win awards. I make records to make records, and hopefully make the records as good as they can be. That's what these awards hopefully represent."

• Born Christopher Alvin Stapleton on April 15, 1978, in Lexington, Kentucky

• Chris Stapleton was in his late 30s with experience as a songwriter when his 2015 debut album Traveller burst onto the scene, rising to No. 1 on the Billboard 200. "Tennessee Whiskey," a track from the album, reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. 

• Traveller earned Stapleton his first two career GRAMMY wins for 2015, including Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Performance for the album's title track. Stapleton made his GRAMMY stage debut when he performed "The Thrill Is Gone" at the 58th GRAMMY Awards with Gary Clark Jr. and Bonnie Raitt in a tribute to B.B. King. 

• Did you know? Before becoming a performer in his own right, Stapleton wrote hit songs for Patty Loveless, Josh Turner, Trade Adkins, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, and Adele, among others.

• Stapleton performed a version of Lionel Richie's "Lady" at the 2016 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute gala in honor of Richie. The annual Person of the Year gala raises funds for MusiCares, which provides services and resources that cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies for music people.

• Stapleton's "Fire Away" video brought attention to changing the culture of mental health in America so those in need could receive care and support through the Campaign to Change Direction.